A. japonicus or A. olivaceus?

[bleedingthought]

For the new tank, I wanted to add 2 more tangs. I currently have a Z. veliferum and hope to try another C. strigosus. I was hoping to add an Acanthurus to finish the list. A. japonicus and A. olivaceus seem to be the best candidates and I like them both. Which of the two would you recommend and why?

Thanks.

 

[Len]

A.olivaceus can get awfully rude as they get bigger from what I've seen in person. That's the only thing I'd be concerned about.

 

[bleedingthought]

That's what WetWebMedia says as well, come to find out.

Well, then it looks like the A.japonicus might be way to go. Unless someone wants to put in a vote for another tang!

 

[Anonymous]

They both get rude. A. japonicus is in the same department as sohal and lineatus in aggressiveness if ya ask me. I'd go with A. japonicus because it stays smaller and is nicer looking.

 

[Anonymous]

I have always liked the A. japonicus.

 

[bleedingthought]

2 more votes for A. japonicus.

They both get rude. A. japonicus is in the same department as sohal and lineatus in aggressiveness if ya ask me. I'd go with A. japonicus because it stays smaller and is nicer looking.

Would you recommend a different one to go with the Z. veliferum and the C. strigosus?

 

[Anonymous]

I agree with Matt...how large is this tank? In my experience even 2000 gallons gets small awful quick when dealing with some of these fish.

 

[Len]

If the tank is large, a small Naso lituratus might work for you. They seem more passive then most species, and even though they get big, they grow rather slowly.

 

[bleedingthought]

210G

 

[bleedingthought]

If the tank is large, a small Naso lituratus might work for you. They seem more passive then most species, and even though they get big, they grow rather slowly.

Male or female?

 

[Len]

For a 210, I personally think you're fine with a small Naso (male or female is fine), most any Acanthurus, or just about any Ctenochus or Zebrasoma. It's plenty big that the initial aggression by your established tangs won't kill any fish. But I wouldn't get mean species that persistently bully.

 

[bleedingthought]

Well, I was hoping for 3, two being the current zebrasoma and the planned ctenochus.

So, I'm 'shopping' for a third one!

 

[Anonymous]

Yikes, I had my wires crossed. I was thinking in my head of another fish when I thought A. japonicus. I just realized were talking about the Powder Brown. This fish is delicate, and in general a poor aquarium fish. I say this speaking in relative terms, for that are much hardier, easier to acclimate surgeons to choose from. While it may be more suitable in the temperament department than other species as indicated above, it's not attractive enough to be worth the trouble IMO. Only A. leucosternon is more trouble, and both should be avoided unless you're just looking for a hassle. I've kept A. japonicus successfully as have others, but most of them that go home with hobbiests die fairly quickly.

I'm partial to the Zebrasomas for a few reasons, not the least of which is hardiness. My favorite Naso species by far is lituratus, and if I were you this would be my choice in this situation. Can't beat them in my experience.

Jim

 

[bleedingthought]

Yikes, I had my wires crossed. I was thinking in my head of another fish when I thought A. japonicus. I just realized were talking about the Powder Brown. This fish is delicate, and in general a poor aquarium fish. I say this speaking in relative terms, for that are much hardier, easier to acclimate surgeons to choose from. While it may be more suitable in the temperament department than other species as indicated above, it's not attractive enough to be worth the trouble IMO. Only A. leucosternon is more trouble, and both should be avoided unless you're just looking for a hassle. I've kept A. japonicus successfully as have others, but most of them that go home with hobbiests die fairly quickly.

I'm partial to the Zebrasomas for a few reasons, not the least of which is hardiness. My favorite Naso species by far is lituratus, and if I were you this would be my choice in this situation. Can't beat them in my experience.

Jim

Are you sure you're not thinking of A. nigricans? They're both called powder brown. Fenner talks a lot of how A. japonicus is a much better choice than A. nigricans everywhere.

After yours and Len's recommendation, N. lituratus is added to the possible list, then.

 

[Anonymous]

Yeah, I probably am. :?

 

[Anonymous]

Yes, I did some checking and that is indeed the case. Apparently my wires were crossed worse than I thought!
It was A. nigricans that I kept, and the same species that I saw all the problems with. It's been a while...
I've never kept A. japonicus...kind of an ugly fish if you ask me.

 

[Anonymous]

I had a beautiful A.japonicus as the centerpiece fish in my 215 for about 2 and a half years. He became the alpha fish and while aggressive was not too hard on the other fish (Also had a Regal Tang, Purple Tang). Sadly when I went on vacation for 2 weeks last year he apparently died or something . A stunningly beautiful fish and very underrated - just do some reading on the endless confusion between A.japonicus and A.nigricans - both are a little delicate but fellow reefkeepers and retailers I have talked with all agree the Powder Brown / japonicus is the hardier species.

 

[bleedingthought]

Ok, right now it is still either A. japonicus or N. lituratus.

What do you guys have to say about the elegans in comparison with the lituratus?

Also, any other suggestions besides these two?

 

[bleedingthought]

Ok, am I asking for trouble if I were to go with a Z. flavescens and the Z. veliferum? Or is a 210G tank big enough to where they would be able to stay off of each other's back?

 

[bleedingthought]

Ok, am I asking for trouble if I were to go with a Z. flavescens and the Z. veliferum? Or is a 210G tank big enough to where they would be able to stay off of each other's back?

What do you guys think?